Modulating pressure motor operated valve



June 3, 1941 1 L HARRIS 2,244,555

MODULATING PRESSURE MOTOR OPERATED VALVE Filed July 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @D /wo m9 12e '2" |25 mi IOO 07 u" |21 0F w+ (Itforngg June 3, 1941. J, `L HARRIS MODULATING PRESSURE MOTORIOPEHATED VALVE Filed July 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wil,

Patented `lune 3, 1941 FFEQE MODULATING PRESSURE MOTR OPER- ATED VALVE John L. Harris, Minneapolis, Minn., assigner to Minneapolis-Honeywell. Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application July 8, 1938, Serial No. 218,245

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to a modulating pressure motor operated valve, and more particularly to one designed for the control of uid fuel to burners.

In the application of Willis H. Gille, Serial No. 218,146, led July 8, 1938, and directed to a control valve, there is disclosed a modulating pressure motor operated valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a burner in which the pressure motor consists of a movable wall, one side of which is exposed to the inlet pressure, throttled in accordance with a controlling condition, and the otherside of which is subjected to the outlet pressure. This valve has the advantage of automatically compensating for 'the size or number of burners and v-i's able to maintain the outlet pressure constant for any given value of the condition. While this valve has the above advantage, as well as numerous others, over valves of the prior art, it has several distinct disadvantages. In the first place, while it provides a snap opening in order to lessen the danger of popback in the mixer, the amount of snap opening is limited. In the second place, the maximum pressure available for operating the valve is that created by the pressure drop through the valve so that it is necessary to use a relatively large diaphragm in the pressure motor. In the third place, there is a constant bleeding of the fluid fuel while the valve is in operation; since this bleed fuel cannot be conveniently burned eiliciently, the heating value of the same is largely lost.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modulating pressure motor actuated valve wherein a valve controlling the pressure in the motor is positioned in accordance with a variable control force and with the outlet pressure so that a constant relation is maintained between the outlet pressure and the control force.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a valve such as set forth in the preceding object, means whereby a substantially constant relation between outlet pressure and flow is maintained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve such as set forth in the previous objects in which the valve is notv opened until the control force has attained a value sufficient to cause the valve to assume a minimum open position. A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve such as set out above in which the outlet pressure is prevented from influencing the control valve until the valve reaches a relatively wide open position so that the valve initially moves to this position and then drops back to the correct position.

A further object is to provide such a valve in connection with a fluid fuel burner control system wherein the valve controls `the uid Vfuel and wherein the fluid fuel constitutes the pressure fluid for the motor.

A further object is to provide a valve particularly according to the preceding object in which full line pressure is available for operating the main pressure motor and in which the pressure differential between the throttled fuel line pressure and the outlet pressure is used to operate a pilot valve.

A further object is to provide a modulating pressure motor operated valve in which there is no continuous bleeding of pressure fluid.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying specincation, claims and drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a burner control system embodying the improved valve of the present invention, the valve being shown in section, and in which Figure 2 -is a sectional view f a modified form of the pressure motor operated valve.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the improved valve of the present invention is shown embodied in a burner control system wherein the valve controls the flow of fuel to a -fluid fuel burner. The valve is particularly adaptable to the control of gaseous fuel and it is accordingly shown in connection with a gas burning system. The gas burner is designated by the reference numeral it, being supplied with gas through the pipe il which is connected to the outlet side of the improved valve. The inlet side of thevalve is connected with a pipe l2 leading to any suitable source of gas (not shown). Located adjacent to the main burner lll is a pilot burner it which is connected by a pipe I5 to the gas supply pipe i2. Also locatedv adjacent the burner lllis a bleed burner i6 which is provided for the purpose of burning gas which is allowed to escape from the pressure motor.

The pressure motor operated valve proper comprises a lower casing member il and an upper casing member i8. The lower casing member il is provided with a valve inlet portion i9 and an outlet 20. A cylindrical partition wall 2| is provided between the inlet i9 and the outlet 20, this partition wall being bevelled at 22 to provide a valve seat. A circular aperture 23 is located in the v'partition wall 2| adjacent the valve outlet 20 so that' uid entering the chamber formed by the cylindrical partition wall can pass through the outlet and the pipe li to the burner I0.

The two casing sections l1 and I8 are clamped together 'by screws 25, or other suitable fastening means. Clamped between the two casing sections is a diaphragm 26 which forms a movable wall of a pressure motor. Located on opposite sides of the central portion of the diaphragm 26 arebacking plates 2l and 28. A valve seat disc 29 is disposed beneath the lower backing plate 28. A cup shaped throttling sleeve 3| is disposed beneath the seat disc 29 and the entire assemblage including the two backing discs 21 and 28, the seat disc 29, and the throttling sleeve 3| are clamped together and to the diaphragm bya bolt 33 and a nut 34.' A spring 35 is interposed between the upper wall of the casing member I8 and the backing disc 21. The disc 29 thus constitutes a valve vdisc which cooperates with the seat 22, being biased into seating engagement therewith by the spring 35. The throttling sleeve 3| cooperates with an internal angular ridge 31 projecting inwardly from the interior of the partition wall 2| to throttle the fluid passing the valve disc 29.

Located in the outlet side of the lower casing member I9 is a disc 40 which is supported by a resilient member 4| pivotally mounted at 42 on a bracket 43. The resilient member 4| is provided with a portion 44 extended at right angles thereto, and cooperating with this portion 44 is an adjustment screw 45.` Spring mounting member 4| is eiective to bias the disc 40 into seating engagement with the partition wall 2| to close the. aperture 23. 'I'he spring 4| is sufficiently light that very little force is required to move the disc 40 away from the aperture. Cooperating with the disc lll is a bell-crank lever 41- 4bell-crank lever 41 is rocked in a clockwise dlrection and serves to move the disc 40 out of seating engagement with the cylindrical partition 2| to decrease the resistance to ilow of gas therethrough. The purpose of this will be discussed in more detail later.

Secured on top of the casing member I8 is a multi-section control housing 60. 'I'his housing consists of a lower plate 6|, a first cylindrical housing section 62, a second cylindrical housing section 63, and a cap member 64. Interposed between the plate 6| and the casing I8 is an annular sealing gasket 65 for the purposev of providing a pressure tight joint between the plate f 6| and the casing I8. Interposed between the Ahousing sections 62 and 63 is a diaphragm 66.

Interposed between the housing section 63 and the cap 64 is a second diaphragm 61. The entire housing assemblage is clamped rmly together and to the casing I8 by screws 13 or other similar fastening means'. v

The diaphragm 66 constitutes the movable Wall of a second pressure motor which is used to actuate a control valve controlling the pressure applied to the diaphragm 26. A diaphragm 68 is secured between two cylindrical members 69 and 10. A.second diaphragm 1| is secured between member 69 and an annular ring 12. Screws 14 or other similar fastening means clamp the assembly consisting of ring 12, diaphragm 11|, cylindrical members 69 and 10 and diaphragm 68 together and to 'the lower plate 6I of the housing assembly 60. Secured to the diaphragm 68 by any suitable fastening means is a cylindrical valve member 16 which has an axial passage 11 extending therethrough. Screw-threadedly fastened to the lower end of the valve member 16 is a valve seat assemblage 18. The center of the lower housing plate 6I is provided with an aper- Cil ture 19 and adjacent this aperture, the disc is ared downwardly as at to provide a valve seat to cooperate with the seat disc assembly 18.

The upper end of the valve member 16 is adaptedA to seat on the under surface of the diaphragm 1|. Secured to the diaphragm 66 is a bolt 83 having a relatively at and large head 82. A f

A valve member 88 is secured through a bolt 81 to the diaphragm 61. 'Ihe valve mem-ber 88 is adapted to seat on a valve seat 89 surrounding passage 90 extending through the partition wall 86. Clamped between the valve member 68 and the diaphragm 61 is an armature plate 9| which cooperates with a plurality of permanent magnets 92. The permanent magnets are suitably secured to the Vwall 86. While only two magnets have been shown, it is to be understood that as many may be employed as is necessary to impart a snap action to the diaphragm member 61 in a manner to be described later. A spring 94 ybears at one end against the diaphragm 61 and at its other end against the spring retainer 95 which surrounds a set screw 96 extending through the upper portion of cap 64. By suitable adjustment of the set screw 96, the tension exerted by spring 94 can be varied.

A throttling valve assembly is generally designated by the reference numeral |00. This assembly comprises a base plate IOI which supports a plurality of annular rings |03, |04, and |05. Clamped between rings |03 and |04 is a diaphragm |06 and clamped between the rings |04 and |05 is a second diaphragm |01. The base plate |0I is provided with a downwardly extending hollow boss |02. The plate IOI is apertured at |08, which aperture communicates with the interior chamber |09 of the boss |02. L0-

- cated within the interior of the boss and cooperating with the opening |08 is a valve member I I0 which is urged by means of a spring I I3 into seating engagement with the valve seat formed by opening |08. The spring I I3 bears at its lower end against a closure plug I|4 threaded into the lower end of the boss I 02. The valve member ||0 not only cooperates with a seat formed by aperture |08 but has an upper extension ||2 which seats upon a seat formed by an aperture ||5 extending through a pair of discs I|6 and ||1 secured to opposite sides of the diaphragm |06. Adapted to engage the disc I|6 is an abutment member I9, which member is in the form of an inverted cup shaped disc secured to diaphragm |01. The side of the disc is partially cut away so that gas passing through aperture |I5 is able at all times to pass freely into the space between diaphragms |06 and I 01. is actuated by a bellows element |2I which is connected through capillary tubing |22 to a bulb |23 lled with a volatile ud. The bulb |23 is located so as to be responsive to the heating medium. For instance, the bulb may be located, in the case of a warm air furnace, in the bonnet of the furnace or in the return duct. In the case of a hot water furnace, the bulb |23 may extend into the water. In the case of a steam heating system, the bulb |23 may be replaced by a pressure responsive unit. Considering the case The valve mechanismtemperature of the heated uid, it will be obvious that upon an increase in temperature of this fluid, the fluid is. vaporized and the increase in vapor pressure will cause bellows |2| to expand.

The bellows |2| is adapted to cooperate with a lever |24 pivotally secured to a bracket |25 which is pivotally mounted on base plate The lever |24 is urged downwardly by a spring |26 which has its upper end secured to the lever and its lower end to an adjusting screw |28. It may be noted that the spring |26 opposes the action of the bellows |2| and that accordingly the position assumed by lever |24 will be a resultant of the forces exerted by bellows |2| and spring |26. By adjusting the screw |28, the pressure setting of the device can be varied.

Extending between the lever |24 and the diaphragm |01 is a strain release spring |29.

A three-way solenoid valve |32 isalso employed for controlling the flow of pressure fluid. This valve has three passages |33, |34and |35. A valve member |36 is provided which in its lowermost position, as shown in the drawings, interrupts communication between passages |33 and |35. In its uppermost position, the valve interrupts communication between passages |34' and |35. Secured to the valve |36 is a solenoid core |31 which cooperates with a solenoid winding |38. Upon energizaton of this solenoid, the solenoid core |3'l is drawn upwardly moving valve |36 to its uppermost position at which communi-l cation between passages |33 and |34 is interrupted and communication between passages |33 and |35 is established.

A thermostat |40 is employed for thel purpose of controlling the energization of winding |38. This thermostat comprises bimetallic element |4| to which secured a contact arm |42 cooperating with a fixed contact |43. One terminal of solenoid winding |38 is connected by a conductor |44 to the bimetallic element I4 The other terminal of the solenoid winding |38 is connected by conductor |45 to yone terminal of any suitable source of power (not shown). The iixed contact |43 of thermostat |40 is similarly connected to the other terminal, of the source of power by a conductor |46. Bimetallic element |4| is so disposed that upon a temperature fall, it is adapted to move contact blade |42 into engagement with contact |83. When this happens, the following circuit is established to the solenoid winding |36: from the'source of power through conductor |46, contact |43, contact arm |612,

bimetallic element conductor |66, solenoid winding |38, and conductor |45 to the other'Y terminal of the source of power. The energization of the solenoid core |38, as previously indicated, moves the valve to its uppermost position. Thus, whenever the thermostat |66 iscalling for heat, the valve |36 is in its uppermost position, and when the thermostat is satisfied the valve is in its lowermost position.

For purposes of clarity, thevarious pipe connections have not been described but will be mentioned in the following description of the operation as they play a part in the operation.

Operation I The various elements of the system are shown in the position assumed when the room teml perature is satised. Under this condition, the

this position of the valve |36, communication is established between the under side of the diaphragm 66 andl the bleed burner I6 through the following gas circuit: pipe |50, valve passage |35, passage |34, and pipes |5| and |52 to the bleed burner I6. The space underneath the diaphragm 66 is thus at substantially atmospheric pressure. The spring 84 is thus able to urge the diaphragm 68, and through aperture 19 to the interior of the upper casing I8 above the diaphragm 26. The result of this is that substantially full line pressure is applied on top of diaphragm 26 with the result that the pressures on opposite sides thereof aresubstantially equal and the valve disc 29 is maintained seated against valve seat 22 by means of spring 35.

Let it be assumed now that the thermostat |40 calls for heat. As previously indicated, this results in solenoid core |38 being energized to lift valve |36'to its uppermost position in which pas' sages |33 and |35 are in communication. When this occurs, the yfollowing.' gas passage will be established' between the inlet pipe |2 and the space beneath diaphragm 66: from supply pipe |2, through pipe |55, passage |56, opening |08, the space between diaphragm |06 and base plate |0|, pipe |51, valve passage |33, passage |35, and through pipe |50 to the space underneath diaphragm 66. This will permit gas to flow 'rather freely from the supply pipe to the under vcorrespond to the Value of the condition to which bulb |23 lis responsive.

As previously noted, the building up of pressure beneath diaphragm 66 causes the same to move upwardly, moving the valve member '|6 upwardly with it. When the diaphragm moves up suicently far, the Valve seat disc 'i6 seats against the valve seat 60 preventing further entrance of the supply pressure through pipe |56 to the upper side of the diaphragm. Upon further movement of the diaphragm 66 upwardly, the spring 65 is able to move diaphragm 1| away from the upper end of valve member l6. When this occurs, gas is able to escape from the upper side of diaphragm 26 through the following gas circuit:

' through passage l?, the space between diaphragms 66 and 11|, and pipes |58, |59, and |52 to the bleed burner |6. As soon as the gas is allowed to escape, the pressure underneath diaphragm 26 is able to lift the diaphragm upwardly against the action of spring 35. This upward movement of the diaphragm 26 will move valve disc 29 off of its seat so as to cause an initial flow of gas through the throttling sleeve 3|. The pressure of the gas causes the disc 40 to be moved slightly away from the cylindrical partition 2|, permitting gas to pass through the aperture 23.

The gas passing through the throttling sleeve 3| gradually results in a back pressure being built up in the outlet side of the valve. 'I'his back pressure is transmitted by means of a pipe |6| to the space beneath diaphragm B1. 'Ihe gas passing through pipe ISI is, however, unable to pass through opening 90 at this stage, in view of the fact that the valve member 88 is in engagement with valve nseat 89. The result is that the gas pressure gradually builds up beneath diaphragm 61 and a point is eventually reached at which the accumulated pressure is suilicient to move diaphragm 61 upwardly against the attractive force exerted by magnet 92 on the armature 9|. The apparatus is so designed that this does not occur until the valve has moved to a relatively wide open position wherein the ow of gas to the gas burner I is adequate to properly ignite the burner without any "pop back in the mixer. As soon as diaphragm 61 has moved upwardly, the valve member 88 is moved oif of valve seat 89 and gas is able to pass from the outlet side through the pipe |6|, through the space underneath diaphragm 61, through the aperture 9|) to the space above diaphragm 66. The application of this outlet pressure to the top side of the diaphragm 66 results in diaphragm B6 moving downwardly forcing the diaphragm 1| into seating engagement with the valve member 16 and then moving valve member 16 downwardly so as to again unseat the valve seat disc 18 from the valve seat 80. It is understood that the last action is on the assumption that the control pressure maintained by the valve mechanism |00 is not suciently high to maintain the valve in the position to which it has been moved before diaphragm 61 was forced upwardly to move valve member 88 off of its seat. The result of the opening of valve disc 18 is'that gas is once more able to pass from the inlet side of the valve through pipe |54 and passage 19 to the space above the diaphragm so as to cause the diaphragm to move downwardly. This will in turn decrease the amount of gas flowing through valve disc 29 and throttling sleeve 3| to in turn decrease the outlet pressure. It will be readily apparent that a point of equilibrium will be reached at which the opposing eiects of the outlet pressure and the control pressure will be such that diaphragm 66 is Ymaintained in a position at which both valve 18 is seated upon its seat 80 and the diaphragm 1J is against the upper end of the valve 16. In this position, none of the gas being used for control purposes is escaping from the system.

'I'he valve will continue to maintain this position so long as the thermostat |49 is calling for heat and so long as the temperature to which bulb |23 is responsive does not change. Let it be assumed, however, that the temperature to which bulb |23 is responsive begins to rise byv reason of the operation of the burner. When this happens, lever |24 will travel upwardly so that the tension exerted by spring |29 decreases. 'I'he gas pressure beneath diaphragm ||6 is now able to move the diaphragms |06 and |01 upwardly against the action oi spring |29 and inasmuch as valve member H0 is already seated, this valve member cannot move upwardly and followthe diaphragm |06. Consequently, the upper extension `|I2 of valve member il@ is moved out oi' seating engagement with the valveV seat adjacent aperture H5. The result is that gas is able to pass from the space beneath diaphragm 68 through pipe |50, valve passage |35,

passage |33, pipe |51, the space beneath diaphragm |06, passage H5, through the space underneath the diaphragm |01, through passage outlet pressure and the now of gas.

|66, and pipes |81, |59, and 52'to the bleed burner I6. 'I'he escape of gas through this passage will continue until the pressure beneath diaphragm |06 corresponds to the force exerted by spring |29, at which time the diaphragm |06 will again assume a position wherein passage of gas through aperture |I5 is interrupted by the extension ||2 of valve H9.

The partial ecape of the gas from the chamber underneath diaphragm 66 will result in the diaphragm 66 moving. downwardly so vas to unseat valve 18 from the valve seat 80. When this happens, gas is again admitted from the supply through the pipe |54 and aperture 19 to the space above diaphragms 26 to build up the pressure on top of the diaphragm and move the valve towards closed position. Again this results in a decrease in the outlet pressure which in turn is communicated to the top side of diaphragm 6B so that a balance is again established between the two sides of the diaphragm 66 to reclose the valve seat member 18 against valve seat 80.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that the valve is caused to always assume a position wherein the outlet pressure corresponds to the value of the controlling condition at |23. While such operation is relatively satisfactory, it has one defect in that a straight line relationship is not maintained between the In other wards, when the valve is nearly closed, a very small change in outlet pressure will make a relanism comprising the disc 40 is designed for thel purpose of compensating for this. As the valve is moved towards open position, lthe disc 40 is moved further and further away from the partition 2| .by the gas actingr against it so that the eiective opening through the aperture 23 is increased. Thus when the outlet pressure is very small, the disc 4t will oier a considerable restriction to the ilow of gas. As the outlet pressure increases, this restriction will be diminished. By properly designing the various elements, a linear relation may be maintained between the outlet pressure and the ow of gas to the burner. By reason of this arrangement, a substantial linear relation is maintained between the flow of gas to the burner and the temperature to which bulb |23 is responsive. The valve reaches a substantially open position only when the supply pressure is very low so as to necessitate a large opening of the valve' to obtain a desired outlet pressure or when the heat demand is very large. In either event, it is urgent that the burner get as much gas as possible. The arrangement including the bell-crank lever 41 is for the purpose of mechanically moving the disc 49 a substantial distance away from aperture 23 when the valve disc 29 reaches a position wherein it is nearly wide open. It will be readily apparent that upwardarmature 9| moving the diaphragm 61 downwardly with a snap action and moving valve member 88 into engagement with valve seat 89.

When this happens, the outlet pressure existing at that time is maintained above the space 66, inasmuch as the gas therein is unable to escape. The result is that the valve disc 18 continues to be held away from the valve seat 80 allowing the gas from the valve inlet to continuously enter through pipe 154 and passage 19 to the space above diaphragm 26. The result is that when the valve reaches this minimum closed position at which the back pressure is inadequte to resist the attractive force of magnets 92, the main valve continues to move to its closed position. The main valve position at which this occurs is closer to closed position lthan that at which the armature 9| is moved away from magnets 92 during the opening cycle to terminate opening movement of the valve. This is true by reason of the inherent diierential in a magnetic snap action arrangement. flow to a much lower value without danger of pop back than it is possible to start burner operation with, this ,feature is highly desirable.

It is to be understood that regardless of the temperature of the bulb 123, upon thermostat 1211 becoming satisfied, the main valve is moved towards closed position. This arises by reason of the fact that upon thermostat 1110 being satisfied, the solenoid is deenergized and valve 136 is moved to its lowermost position; In this position ofthe valve, the gas ow from the control valve 168 through pipe 161 to the pipe 150 communicating with the under side of the diaphragm 66 is interrupted and pipe 1511 is placed in communication with the bleed burner 16 in the manner described during the rst portion of the description of the operation of the system. The result is that the pressure beneath diaphragm 66 is decreased to substantially atmospheric pressure so that the parts assume the position shown in the drawings. Upon thermostat 120 again calling for heat, the operation previously described will be repeated.

'it is to be understood that the thermostat 120 functions as a limiting thermostat. 1n the usual heating installation, this thermostat will be placed in one of the rooms or at some other desired control point. So long as the valve is modulated in accordance with the heat load, this thermostat Since it is possible to reduce gasv will continue to call for heat. As soon, however,

as the heat supply becomes excessive so that the temperature begins to rise unduly in the locality at which thermostat 1110 is located, this thermostat will operate to cause closure of the main valve and terminate burner operation.

It is to be noted from the foregoing operation that the full line pressure is available for operating the main diaphragm 26. Thus it is possible for full line pressure to be beneath the diaphragm while the upper side of the diaphragm is exposed to atmospheric pressure'. This condition, of course, would only exist during a condition of excessive heat demand. It is further to be noted that a valve like the present invention entirely 'eliminates the need for any pressure regulator inasmuch as the valve automatically assumes a position at which the outlet pressure corresponds to the control pressure and that this control pressure is determined entirely by the temperature to which bulb 123 is subjected, being independent of the supply pressure. It will further be noted that with the present valve, avery large initial opening is obtained, this opening being followed by the valve moving back to the position called for by the temperature to which bulb 123 is subjected. It is further to be noted that with a valve of the present species, not only is a straight line relationship maintained between the outlet pressure and the controlling temperature but a straight line relationship is also maintained between the flow of gas and the controlling temperature.

Species of Figure 2 In Figure 2, there is shown a modification of the pressure motor operated valve of Figure 1. In view of the fact that the valve is connected in the same manner to the burner and since the controllers are identical, these controllers have not been shown. In order to facilitate a comparison of the gures, those elements of the present species which correspond to elements of the Figure 1 species have been indicated by reference numerals 200 higher than the refer-ence numerals applied to the similar elements of Figure 1. inasmuch as the structure of these elements will be obvious in view of the previous description of corresponding elements in Figure 1, these'elements which correspond to those of Figure 1 will not be described in as much detail in connection with this species.

Referring tothe drawings, the pressure motor operated valve proper comprises lower and upper valve casings 211. and 218, the lower valve casing having a valve inlet 219 and a valve outlet 222. A partition wall 221 lis bevelled at 222 to provide a valve seat surrounding an opening through the wall 221. Clamped between the two sections of the valve housings 211 and 218 isa diaphragm 226. Secured to the diaphragm 226 are backing plates 221 and 228 and a valve seat disc 229. Also secured to the diaphragm 226 is a cup shaped throttling sleeve 231. The entire assemblage consisting of backing plates 221 and 228,*seating disc 229, and throttling sleeve 231 are held together and to the diaphragm by means of a bolt 232. A spring 235 is located within the upper casing section 218 and serves to bias the valve disc 229 into seating engagement with the valve seat 222.

A control housing is generally designated by the reference numeral 261]. rIhis housing comprises a bottom plate 261, housing sections 262 and 253, a cap member 2611, and diaphragm 266 and 261. The entire assemblage is held together and to the upper valve casing 218 by screws 212. A gasket 265 is interposed between the lower plate n261 and the valve casing 218 to prevent the escape of uid. Located within the housing 262 is a valve assembly comprising cylindrical members269 and 211), a ring 212, and diaphragms 262 and 211. This assemblage is held together and to the lower plate 261 by screws 212. A

cylindrical valve member 216 is secured to the diaphragm 228 and carried thereby. The valve member 216 is provided with an axial passage` 266. Bearing against the diaphragmi261 is a spring 294 which bears at its upper end against a cup shaped spring retainer 295 which in turn bears against a set screw 296 extending through the upper wall of cap member 264. f 'I'he structure which has been described so far consists entirely of elements which correspond structurally to similar elements of the species of Figure 1. As will be indicated in the subsequent description of `the operation, some of these elefl0 ments play a slightly different function in the operation of the valve than they do in the preferred species.' I'he elements which will be described hereinafter are for the most partnovel to this species as far as both structure and function are concerned.

Secured to the diaphragm 261 is a valve stem 318 to which is secured a valve seating disc 31|. This valve disc is designed to seat on a valve seat 312 which surrounds the outlet of a passage 313 through the center web 286 of the housing section 263. Also located on stem 310 in abutting engagement with the diaphragm 261 is a seating disc 314 which is secured to the diaphragm by any suitable fastening means. The seating disc 314 is adapted to cooperate with a valve seat 815 surrounding a passage 313 extending through the web 286.

A plug 380 is threadedly mounted in the lower wall of valve casing section 2I1. This plug 30 has an aperture extending therethrough into which a pipe 38| extends. The upper extremity 'of this aperture is surrounded by a bevelled angular ridge 382 which forms a valve seat for a snap disc 383. 'I'he snap disc 383 is supported 35 upon an annular spacer 384 `and screws 385 are employed for holding the snap disc 383 and the spacer 384 to the plug 388. Secured to the snapA disc 383 is a stem 386 which has a cross pin 381 secured in the upper end thereof. 'Ihe cross pin 40 381 is slidable in a slot 388 in the bolt 233. The

= snap disc 383 is thus connected with the bolt vof the Figure 1 species leads from a control valve similar to the control valve assembly |08 of Figure 1. This pipe communicates with a passage 390 in the web 286 of housing section 263. It is to be understood that the pipe 350, corresponding to pipe |58 of the Figure 1 species, delivers the controlling pressure. The pressure of the fluid in this pipe is always equivalent to the pressure of the controlling condition according to which it is desired to modulate the valve.. The pipe 356, like pipe |58 of the Figure 1 species, leads through suitable connections to a bleed burner. In this species, this pipe instead of being connected merely to one of the control cham- 60 bers is connected through pipe 39| to the space between diaphragm 268 and plate 26| and is also connected vby a pipe 392 and a vpassage 313 to the space above the diaphragm 266. The last connection is controlled by a valve disc 21|l.

Operation of Figure Especies Since the pipe 350 is connected with the space above diaphragm 266 by passage 390, the space below diaphragm 261, andvpassage 316, the increase in pressure in pipe 350 will cause the pressure above diaphragm 266 to also increase. This will force diaphragm 266 downwardly which through the bolt head 282 and the diaphragm 21| forces the valve 216 downwardly to move the valve disc 218 away from the valve seat 280. The effect of this is to permit some of the gas above diaphragm 226 to escape through the following passage: through passage 219, the space between plate 26| and diaphragm 268, and through pipe 39| to pipe 358 which leads to the bleed burner. This escape of gas from above diaphragm 226 will reduce the pressure above the diaphragm permitting the same to move upwardly, moving the valve towards a wider open position so that the gas ow to the burner is increased. The moving of the gas valve to a wider open position increases the outlet pressure, and this increase in outlet pressure is transmitted beneath the valve disc 383 and through pipe 38| to the under side of diaphragm 266. The opening of the valve will continue until the increase in the outlet pressure applied beneath the diaphragm 266 counteracts the increase in control pressure. When this happens, valve disc 218 will again be seated and the diaphragm will remain in its new position.

Let it be assumed now that the heat demand decreases so that the heater temperature rises. This rise in heater temperature will result in a decrease in the control pressure which in turn results in the decrease in the pressure, above diaphragm 266. This decrease in the pressure above diaphragm 266 causes this diaphragm to move upwardly which moves the bolt head 282 away from diaphragm 21|. The valve member 216 by reason of the engagement of the valve disc 218 with the valve seat 280 cannot move upwardly so that the diaphragm 21| is readily displaced from the valve member 216. Gas passes from the inlet side of the valve through pipe 354 5 and entering the chamber beneath diaphragm 21| lifts the saine away from valve member 216 and passes through passage 211 to the space above diaphragm 226. This results in an increase in the pressure above the diaphragm causing the diaphragm and valve 229 to move downwardly. This, in turn, results in a. decreasein the gas supply to the burner in accordance with the increase in the furnace temperature which produced the change. This also results in a decrease in the outlet pressure which is transmitted through pipe 38| to the under side of the diaphragm 266. This closing of the valve continues until the decrease in outlet pressure results in the pressures on opposite sides of the diaphragm 266 again being balanced until the pressure differential on the diaphragm 266 is again such as to cause bolt head 282 to move diaphragm 21| into seating engagement with Valve 216.

AIt will be noted that a spring 294 is urging diaphragm 261 downwardly and that the only force resisting downward movement of the diaphragm 261 is a force exerted by the controlling pressure on the under side thereof. If the ternperature rises suiiiciently far that this controlling y pressure falls below a predetermined value, the spring 294 will overcome the eect of the controlling pressure on the under side of the diaphragm and will move the diaphragm 261 downwardly.

The downward movement of the diaphragm 261 results in valve disc 31| being forced away from the valveseat 312' connecting the space above diaphragm 266 to the bleed line 356, the connection being effected by the passage 313 and pipe 392. The result is that the pressure above diaphragm 266 drops very rapidly causing the movement of the diaphragm 261 downwardly to be accelerated. 'This acceleration in the downward movement of diaphragm 261 is intensified by the fact that as the disc 314i approaches the seat 315, the eiective area on the under side of the diaphragm 261 is decreased so that the total pressure on the under side of the diaphragm 261 is still further decreased. The result is that the diaphragm 261 will move downwardly with a very abrupt action and the pressure above diaphragm 266 will become equal to atmospheric pressure.

The sudden reduction of the pressure above l diaphragm 266 causes this diaphragm to move upwardly permitting the diaphragm 211 to move upwardly so that gas may flow from the inlet through pipe 354, the space underneath diaphragm 211, and passage 211 to the space above diaphragm 226. Since the control pressure is no longer being applied to the top side of diaphragm 266, this increase in pressure will continue until the valve disc 22'9 seats on the valve seat 222 cornpletely closing the valve. Just before the main valve closes, the cross pin 381 attached to stem 386 is engaged by the upper end of the slot 388 of the bolt 233. Further downward movement of the valve and consequently of the bolt 233 pushes valve stem 386 downwardly to cause valve disc 333 to snap over center. The purpose o f this will be apparent from the following description of the operation.

Let it be assumed now that the temperature of the heater begins to fall, by reason of the valve being completely closed. This will result in the control pressure gradually increasing.v Nothing will happen until the control pressure has increased sufficiently so that even when acting only on the portion of diaphragm 261 exclusive of disc 316, the pressure underneath the diaphragm 261 is suiiicient to move the same upwardly against the action of the spring 294. AAs soon as the disc 314 starts to leave its seat, the eective area underneath the diaphragm 261 will be increased so that the diaphragm will continue to move upwardly with a vsnap action. This upward movement of the diaphragm 261 will cause disc 311 to move into seating engagement with valve seat 312 cutting off the escape of gas from above thel diaphragm 266 out throught-the passage 313.

As soon as the escape of gas above passage 313 is cut off, the pressure above diaphragm 266 will build up very quickly to assume the control pressure which, since it is sufficient to Vraise diaphragm 261 upwardly when acting only on a part of the area thereof, is at a value corresponding to a valve opening of appreciable magnitude. The increase in pressure above diaphragm 266 results in valve member 216 being moved downwardly, so that the valve disc 21B is moved away `from valve seat 286 permitting escape of pressure from above diaphragm 22'6 in the manner previously described when diaphragm 266 was moved downwardly. Ordinarily, the upward movement of the valve 229 caused by the escape of gas above diaphragm 226 would be terminated when the back pressure applied to the under side of diaphragm 266 reaches a value corresponding to the control pressure applied on topof the diaphragm 266. By reason of the previously described closure of snap disc valve 383, however, the gas from the outlet side is not permitted to flow through pipe 36| to the under side of the diaphragm 266. Consequently, the valve continues to move to open position until such time as the lower wall of the slot 386 engages the cross pin 361 and snaps the valve 383 to open position. Gas may now flow from the outlet side through pipe 33t to the under side of diaphragm 266 to increase the pressure below the diaphragm 266. Since the rebalancing has been temporarily interrupted, the back pressure will be much higher than that called for by the control pressure in pipe 350. Consequently, diaphragm 266 will now be moved upwardly to permit the pressure above diaphragm 226 to be increased and cause the valve disc 229 to move towards closed position. This return movement of the valve towards closed position will continue until the outlet pressure bears the desired relation to the control pressure 35D. Inasmuch as the control pressure, as previously indicated, has a value corresponding to the partially open position of the valve, the valve will not move completely back to closed position.

It isof course, understood that if the pressure through pipe 356 is abruptly decreased by the operation of a device such as the three way valve 132 of the species of Figure 1, the valve 229 will be moved to closed position in the same manner as when the pressure in pipe 350 is decreased in any other manner. In other words, it is contemplated that the pressure in pipe 356 may be controlled by both a throttling valve and an on and off valve as in Figure l.

While no means has been shown in the' species of Figure 2 for maintaining a constant relation between the outlet pressure and the flow through the valve, it is understood that such means can be 2, it is possible to have the valve upon opening to move to a desired position and then drop back to as econd predetermined position, which position it is assured is sucient to maintain comi bustion after the burner has once been ignited.

It will further be seen that the device does not depend upon the storage of the outlet pressure on one side of the controlling diaphragm 256 as is necessary in the species of Figure 1.

While certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a fluid fuel burner control system, a main valve controlling the flow of fuel to the burnerr a pressure motor for actuating said valve, means for applying fuel line pressure to said pressure motor, control valve means for controlling said last named means, a second pressure-motor comprising a movable wall operatively connected to said control valve means, means operative to subject one side of said wall to a force continuously variable with a controlling condition, means operative to subject the other side of said wall to a pressure the value of which is determined by the fuel pressure on the outlet side of said valve, and means for rendering said last named means inoperative during movement of the valve in opening direction until the valve has reached a predetermined position at which theilow of fuel is sufficient to properly support combustion.

2. In combination, a main valve, fluid motor means for operating the same, means including 'a main controller for continuously subjecting said pressure motor to apressure tending to move Asaid valve in one direction, means responsiveto the pressure on the outlet side of rthe valve' opposing said last named means to thereby lterminate valve movement whenv the outlet pressure corresponds to the position of the main controller, and means for rendering said last named means inoperative during movement of "the valve in one direction until the valve has 'to said valve, a movable member responsive to a condition affected by burner operation, and control means associated with said pressure motor and` movable member forl causing said motor initially to open said valve relatively widely to insure proper ignition at the burner upon said movable member first assuming a position calling for burner operation, automatically to return the valve to a position corresponding to the value of the condition, and thereafter to move the valve toward wide open position in a plurality of steps as the condition changes.

4. In combination, a main valve, a pressure motor for actuating said valve, a source of vpressure fluid, means 'including an inlet valve for admitting pressure fluid from said source to said pressure motor, means including an outet valve for permitting escape of pressure therefrom, a second pressure motor including a movable wall operatively connected to said inlet and outlet valves, means connecting one side of said Wall to a source of control pressure, and means connecting the other side of said wall to the outlet side of said main valve.

5. In combination, a main valve, a pressure motor for actuating said valve, a source of pressure iiuid, means including an inlet valve for admitting pressure fluid from said source to said pressure motor, means including an-outlet valve for permitting escape of pressurev therefrom, a

second pressure motor including a movable wall operatively connected to said inlet and outlet valves, means connecting one side of said wall to a source of control pressure, means connecting the other side of said wall to the outlet side of said main valve, and means for interrupting said last named connecting means while said valve is opening until sa-id lvalve reaches a predetermined position whereby said valve upon opening moves directly to said predetermined position and thereafter moves back to a position corresponding to the outlet pressure.

6. In combination, a main valve, a. pressure motor for actuating said valve, a source of pressure fluid, means including an inlet valve for admitting pressure fluid from said source to said pressure motor, means including anoutlet valve for permitting escape of pressure therefrom, a second pressure motor including a movable wall operatively connected to said inlet and outlet valves, means connecting one side of said wall to a source of control pressure, means connecting the other side of said wall to the outlet side of said main valve, and means for interrupting said connection to said source of control pressure whenever said control pressure assumes a value so low that the main valve will assume a. position within a predetermined range adjacent closed position.-

7. In combination, a valve, a pressure motor for operating the same, a variable source of control pressure, means for subjecting said pressure motor to a pressure differential so related to ther control pressure and to the pressure on the outlet side of said valve that a. denite relation is maintained between the control pressure and the outlet pressure, and means on the outlet side of said valve lfor oierlng a decreasing resistance to the ilow of fuel as the outlet pressure increases in such a manner as to tend to maintain a straight line relation between the outlet pressure and the iiow of uid through said valve.

8. In combination, a valve, a pressure motor for operating the same, a variable source of control pressure, means for subjecting said pressure motor to a pressure differential so related to the control pressureand to the pressure on the outlet side of said valve that a definite relation is main. tained between the control pressure and the outlet pressure, means on the outlet side of said valve for oifering a decreasing resistance tothe flow of fluid as the outlet pressure increases in such a manner as to tend to maintain a straight line relation between the outlet pressure and the flow of lliuid through said valve, and means responsive to valve movement for rapidly decreasing the resistance olered by said means as said valve moves open beyond a predetermined position.

9. In a fluid fuel burner control system, a main valve controlling the flow of fuel to the burner, a pressure motor for modulatingly positioning said valve, means for conducting fuel to and from said pressure motor to act as the pressure fluid for said motor, and means controlled by a device responsive to a condition indicative of the need for burner operation for regulating the flow of fuel to and from said pressure motor, said last named means being opera- Y tive to maintain at all times a pressure differential such as to maintain the valve in any one of a plurality of positions dependent upon the value of' the condition and to permit escape of fuel from the pressure motor only when the valve position does not correspond to thevalue of the condition.

10. In a gas burner control system, a valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner, means including a pressure chamber for positioning said valve in any one of a plurality of. positions depending vupon the value of a control pressure in the pressure chamber, means for conveying gas from the inlet side of said valve to said pressure chamber, a three way valve mechanism operable in-a rst position to admit said gas to said pressure chamber, ina second position to conduct said gas from said chamber, and in a third position to retain the gas in the chamber, and means responsive to both the pressure of said gas in said pressure chamber and to the value of a controlling condition to maintain said valvemechanism in said third position as long as the gas pressure in the chamber corresponds to the value of the condition.

11. In a gas burner control system, a main valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner, a pressure motor for actuating the valve, means for conveying gas from the gas supply line into and out of said pressure motor, pilot valve means for controlling the pressure of the gas in said pressure motor, actuating means for said pilot Valve means including a diaphragm, means for y subjecting one side of salad diaphragm to a pres- 4 sure the value of which is determined'by the gas pressure on the outlet side of said main valve,

- means for subjecting the other side of said diaphragm to a variable control force dependent in value on that of a controlling condition, and snap A action means associated with the control means pressure motor for actuating the valve, meansV for conveying gas from the gas supply line into4 and out of said pressure motor, pilot valve means for controlling the pressure of the gas in said pressure motor, actuating means for said pilot valve means including a diaphragm, means for subjecting one side of said diaphragm to a pressure the value of which is determined by the gas pressure on the outlet side of said main valve, means for subjecting the other side of said diaphragm to a variable control force dependent in value on that of a controlling condition, and snapl action means associated with the control means for the pilot valve means for causing continuous movement of said main valve during opening rmovement thereof until said valve has assumed a predetermined minimum open position, said snap action means being 4further operative upon closing movement to cause continuous movement of v said'main valve from a predetermined minimum y closed position to full closed position.

13. In a fluid fuel burner control system, a main valve controlling the ow ,of fuel to the burner, apressuremotor for actuating said valve, 4 means including an inlet valve for admitting fuel underpressurefrom the inlet side of the main valveto said pressure mtor, means including an 4outlet valve for permittingescape of fuel therefrom, actuating means for said inlet and outlet valves, means including a control device responsive to a condition indicative of the need for burner operation for creating a control force having a magnitude bearing a predetermined relation to th'e value of said condition, means forv subjecting said actuating means simultaneously to said control force and to a force dependent I upon the pressure of the fluid fuel on the outlet l5. In a gas burner control system, a main valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner, a pressure motor for actuating the valve, means for conveying gas from the gas supply line into and out of said pressure motor, pilot valve means for controlling the pressure of ,the gas in said pressure motor, actuating means for said pilot valve means, means including a control device responsive to a controlling condition for creating a control force having a magnitude bearing a predetermined relation tothe value of said condition, means for subjecting said actuating means simultaneously to said control force and to a force indicative of the position of said main valve,

' and means for causingcontinuous movement of said main valve during opening movement thereof until said valve has assumed a predetermined minimum open position.

16. In a gas burner control system, a main valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner, a pressure motor for actuating the valve, means for conveying gas from the gas supply lline into and out of said pressure motor, pilot valve means for controlling the pressure of the gas in said pressure motor,`actuating means for said pilot valve means, means including a control device responlVsive to a controlling condition for creating a control force having a magnitude bearing a pre'- determined relation to the value of said condition, means for subjecting said actuating means simultaneously to said control force and to a force indicative of the position oi' said mainvalve, and snap action means associated with the actuating means for the pilot valve means for causing lcontinuous movement of said main valve during opening movement thereof until said valve has `side of said main valve so that said actuating means is operative to position said inlet and outlet valves fn accordance with the resultant oi said control force and the outlet pressure.

14. In a duid fuel burner control system, a main valve controlling the ow oi' fuel to the burner, a pressure motor for actuating said valve,

means including an inlet valve for admitting fuel under pressure from the inlet side of the main valve to said pressure motor, means including an outlet valve for permitting escape ot fuel therefrom, actuating means for said inlet and outlet valves, means including a control device responsive to a condition indicative of the need for burner operation for creating a control force assumed apredetermined minimum open position.

17. In a gas burner control system, a main valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner, a pressure motor for actuating the valve, means for conveying gas from the gas supply line into and out of said pressure motor, pilot valve means for controlling the pressure of the gas in said pressure motor, actuating means for said pilot valve means, means including a control device responsive to a controlling condition for creating a control force having a magnitude bearing a predetermined relation to the value of said condition, means for subjecting said actuating means simultaneously to said control force and to a -force dependent upon the pressure of the iluid fuel on the outlet side of said main valve, and snap action means associated with the actuating means for the pilot valve means for causing continuous movement of said'main valve during opening movement thereof until said valve has assumed a predetermined minimum open position.

18. In combination, a valve, a pressure motor for operating the same, a variable source oi control pressure, means for subjecting said pressure motor to a pressure differential so related to the control pressure and to the pressure on the outlet side of said valve that a denite relation is maintained between the control pressure and the outlet pressure, an oriced device connected to said valve, and means for compensating for the normal non-'linear relation between the ow through said riflced device and the pressure producing suchilow so as to maintain relation between the outlet pressure and the ow of uid through said oriced device.

' JOHN L. HARRIS. 

